Machava child rape case: Mozambican CSOS demand accountability

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Machava child rape case: Mozambican CSOS demand accountability

3:50 CAT | 24 Sep 2020

Photo: CIP

A group of civil society organisations has called a press conference to condemn the rape of a 13-year-old girl by three young men, one of whom reportedly works at the National Service for Criminal investigation.

The case was triggered by Miramar last week, based on footage allegedly depicting the sexual abuse of a girl apparently sedated by a group of neighbours.

The organisations’ first demand is that a criminal investigation be opened and those responsible held accountable.

“Despite the identity of one of the perpetrators of the rape of the minor being known to the authorities, he continues to exercise his functions freely, and no criminal and disciplinary proceedings have been opened against him. In other words, the CIP found that this man [identified by CIP] continues to frequent the neighbourhood where the victim lives, uttering insults against her and her family and claiming that nothing will happen to him,” said CIP.

“It is unacceptable for a state employee to adopt such a stance, and we demand his accountability,” said the CIP, which has issued a statement on the case, available in Portuguese HERE.

The Women, Law and Development Association (MULEIDE) used the occasion to voice its concern about crimes of rape involving state agents, while the Association of Women in Legal Careers ( AMMCJ) announced that it would provide any necessary legal support to the family to bring the guilty parties to justice.

The incident has drawn condemnation from several civil society organisations, including MULEIDE, AMMCJ, Associação Horizonte Azul and the Centre for Public Integrity.

Earlier this week, the girl’s mother, who came to Maputo from Beira as soon she heard about the incident, asked the authorities for help. She claims that one of the alleged rapists is a police officer, as is also his mother, who she says has asked to meet her.

TV Miramar interviewed her in the video report below.